In this article, we’re looking at space. Space is perhaps the biggest opportunity for exhibitors looking to design their booth effectively. Space is your blank canvas, and there are a wide range of event marketing opportunities that involve proper usage of space.
We’ll look at recent trends to help you properly utilize space and create a true experience for attendees. We’ll show you how you can stand out among exhibitors and draw attention to your business the right way.
Current Spacial Trends
We’ve done a few articles lately talking about recent major trade shows, and looking back, it seems like themes are beginning to emerge. Exhibit display systems are opening up. This is happening on several levels, but it’s reflected in the visual design of recent show exhibits.
These exhibition stands weren’t simply open in the sense of having plenty of room to move – but that’s definitely part of it. Exhibition designers are also playing with spacial dimensions. They’re putting things in unexpected places. They’re not just using space, but carving out display space that’s as separate as possible from the main trade show environment.
Exhibitors are thinking of space not simply as an area to put things, but as the asset in itself. They realize that space is part of what creates the welcoming environment for customers, and how this environment can help consumers create positive associations with your company. Effective booth setup utilizes this open area to create a customer experience that is inviting, and that draws people in.
So, the next time you’re looking for ideas for expo displays, we’ve put together a list of elements you might want to include to help open up your trade show booth designs in as many ways as possible.
Finding the Space Inside Your Expo Displays
So, how do we take the broad ideas mentioned above and put them into action? It’s great to think of space as a broad opportunity, but what does this mean for you? How do you apply these ideas to drive an actual purchase from a real person?
In this section, we’re outlining just that. Below are several ways to take these ideas and put them into action.
The first step is by far the most important:
Step One: Have An Overall Plan
The designs are becoming more fun, but they are not random. They should speak towards a specific overall message. The creative designs should be part of the message itself. It’s not about random weirdness; it’s about controlled weirdness being harnessed to surprise and involve convention visitors. Either way, you’ll also want it written down since your staff will need to understand and be able to explain the exhibition stand and its relationship to your product.
The key is to first establish the message you aim to communicate with your trade show presentation. This is your direct marketing message, which conveys the benefits of your product or service to your target group. Once you have developed the message, you can design the custom display around the message.
Step Two: Design Your Exhibit
Now, a few thoughts on things you might think about trying out:
- Use flowing spaces: Newer trade show supplies aren’t entirely boxy, they’re using flowing designs with plenty of curves. The expo designs are graceful and sweeping, encouraging visitors to move around near them. At the same time, spaces often flow into each other as well. Half a real-life car might be parked against a wall and turn to a cartoon behind. Keep looking for inventive ways to put a twist on typical exhibit design elements.
- Make the visitor look around: Don’t keep everything on a two-dimensional plane, or on the usual stacks and piles. Take claim of the entire three-dimensional space. Be inventive! Put product and images on the ceiling. Hang gimmicked mirrors off of things. Experiment with creating shadows.
- Get interactive: I don’t want to use the word “playground” but look for ways to inspire people to get hands-on. These can simply be features of your trade show booth itself, not simply product demos, but if your products are hardware, bring them to the booth so clients can touch and see and feel them. You can also bring games, or even things that simply feel odd to touch. If you can a find a way to help visitors create something original through an interactive display, make sure they have a way to take it digital and send it to your or their social media accounts – Facebook or LinkedIn or Twitter, etc! Don’t forget to prominently display your social media handles as well.
- Think of the Space You Don’t Use: When designing a trade show booth, it’s tempting to think about utilizing all your space to the fullest. But sometimes what’s just as important is the space you don’t use. Empty space not only provides area for more customers to occupy your booth, it creates a wide open, welcoming environment. It also helps to make your booth easier to grasp upon first glance. With less “stuff” occupying your display, your customers can focus on what matters – your value proposition!
- Block out the world: Part of making the space in a trade show display your own is somehow trying to forget about the rest of the trade show. The high-end expo displays are employing sound-dampers and booth designs intended to obscure the outside. Some are even covering their displays entirely, making them a separate room.
- Keep your staff in uniform: Don’t go so overboard as to make your staff part of the design, aside from having a uniform. They’re the human face for the weirdness. You want them looking open, normal, and accessible so dazzled visitors will know who to ask for more information!
- Prepare Your Staff: On the topic of staff, you also need to be sure that you properly prepare them. Everyone needs to be on the same page, and they need to know what message they should be communicating about your product. It is your responsibility to ensure that your staff knows what they should be talking about.
- Keep it Simple: You may have noticed this theme running throughout this article. Sometimes the best approach is to keep it simple! There are thousands of people drifting through a trade show, and you only have a split second to get their attention. Booth design must convey a simple, readily understandable message. Focus on a key benefit, and design your booth to speak to that benefit. Customers don’t have a lot of attention to dedicate to each booth, so you need to focus on creating a message that is easy to understand at a glance. The use of open space is very helpful in keeping everything simple and direct.
The key takeaway here is that trade show display ideas and designs are moving to make more use of three-dimensional space. Rather than allowing space to go wasted, above their heads, they’re finding ways to work that space into the booth design itself. They’re making the space part of their message. In doing so, they’re making expo displays which are far more involving than the two-dimensional norm.
What Can We Do For You?
If you’re looking for a way to take advantage of the tips and tricks offered in this article, then consider looking through our wide variety of displays and accessories for your next trade show. We have everything you need to design your booth exactly as you see fit. From banner stands, to table covers, to lighting and digital displays, we have it all.
We know the importance of flexibility when it comes to engineering a trade show booth. So reach out to us today and see what we can do for you!
Conclusion
Thanks for checking out our guide to proper space utilization in your booth. A proper trade show booth is all about showing a customer why your product or service meets their needs. Space is one of the biggest assets you have at your disposal, and we think that our tips and tricks will help you stand out from the crowd and drive your message home.